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Do you know any of the first generation universities in Nigeria? What are the oldest universities in Nigeria? The number of universities in Nigeria has increased because more universities were created. There are now government universities which are public and private universities owned by private individuals or organization.
The first university in the country to be established was before the Independence? Ever since, more higher education institution has been established after Nigeria got her independence in 1960. If you want to know the first five universities in Nigeria that are oldest? Here we have list the five oldest universities in Nigeria.
Five Oldest Universities in Nigeria
#1. University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo- 1948
The University of Ibadan is the first and oldest university in Nigeria to be established. University of Ibadan (UI) was founded in 1948 and is located in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria.
The higher institution was originated from Yaba Higher College, Lagos. Yaba College was established in 1932 and moved to Ibadan in the year 1948. There it started and was made a university which was called University of Ibadan.
The University of Ibadan beside been the oldest Nigerian university is ranked as the best university in Nigeria.
The university boast of it campus and has a total of 16 faculties:
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Environmental Design and Management
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Public Health
- Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Technology
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Ibadan UI has notable and famous alumni which are
Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Bola Ige, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Kole Omotosho and several other alumni.
#2. University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Enugu – 1960
The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) is the second oldest university to be created in Nigeria. UNN was established on October 7, 1960 and is located in Enugu, Nigeria.
The popular University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) been one of the oldest Nigerian university has produced famous alumni-Chris Ngige, Godwin Emefiele, Dora Akunyili, Peter Odili, Chris Okotie, Charles Soludo and several others.
Currently, the university is also ranked one of the best university in Nigeria and prefered higher institution with a large population of the student from the country.
The institution has three campuses which are located in Nsukka, Enugu and Ituku Ozalla and 19 faculties in total.
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Biological Science
- Faculty of Business Administration
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Environmental Studies
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Faculty of Public Health
- Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources
- Faculty of Physical Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Faculty of Vocational Techincal Education
#3. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Osun – 1961
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is located in Ife, Osun Nigeria. Popularly known as OAU, is the 3rd oldest university in Nigeria and was established as a university in the year 1961 after Nigeria independence.
The university was known as University of Ife, but got it name changed to Obafemi Awolowo University Ife in remembrance of the tremendous effort by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The school is among the prefered university in the country and is home to many students from Western Nigeria.
Obafemi Awolowo University notable alumni are Jimoh Ibrahim, Femi Otedola, Olajumoke Adenowo, Oluwarotimi Odunayo, Akinwumi Adesina, Lai Mohammed etc. Among the higher institution in the country, the university was ranked among top university in Nigeria.
The university is having 15 faculties currently which are;
- Faculty of Administration
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Business Administration
- Faculty of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Environmental Design and Management
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Technology
READ ALSO: Top Ten Universities in Africa
#4. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna – 1962
The Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria was established in 1962 and is located in Kaduna northern Nigeria. The university is known popularly as ABU Zaria, is a home to a large number of students from the North and the most prefered higher education institution in Northern Nigeria.
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is the fourth oldest university in Nigeria and is ranked one of the best university in the country. ABU Zaria notable and prominent alumni are Former president of Nigeria Umaru Yar’adua Musa, Atiku Abubakar, Idris Legbo Kutigi, Nasir Ahmad El-rufai, Nuhu Ribadu etc.
The institution was first known as School of Arabic Studies in Kano, then moved to Zaria as University of Northern Nigeria. Got it’s name changed to Ahmedu Bello University after the first premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
The university is has two campuses-Kongo and Samaru and 16 faculties. Kongo campus houses faculty of administration and faculty of Law. While Samaru the main campus houses Faculty of Agriculture, Arts, Education, Engineering, Life Science, Physical Science, Enviromental Design.
The university is reputed to have one of the largest teaching hospital in the country and is second largest in Africa after University of Cairo the largest in Africa. Ahmadu Bello university, Zaria faculties are;
- Faculty of Administration
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Environmental Design
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Life Science
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science
- Faculty of Physical Science
- Faculty of Social Science
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
#5. University of Lagos, Lagos State – 1962
The University of Lagos is popularly called UNILAG, established in 1962. The institution is among the first generation of universities in the country.
The University of Lagos occupies the fifth position of the oldest university in Nigeria. As a result to create more higher institutions in the country the University of Lagos was established and became one of the first generation university in Nigeria
The school offers various range of courses and bachelor, masters, Doctorate and Postgraduate programmes. The institution is a conventional university that is well sought after by many high school leavers.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has two campuses-Akoka campus and Medical campus in Idi-araba, Surulere. Also the university has several faculties with different courses and programmes for study.
UNILAG notable and prestigious alumni known so far are Wale Adenuga, Chike Obi, Joke Silva, Lazarus Ekwueme etc.
University of Lagos currently has twelve Faculties, they are:
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Business Administration
- Faculty of Clinical Sciences
- Faculty of Dental Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Science, and
- Faculty of Social Sciences.
In summary, the first generation universities and five oldest universities in Nigeria are University of Ibadan (UI), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, and University of Lagos (UNILAG).
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